THEATER REVIEW; So Pretty in Soot

By Naomi Siegel

Oct. 30, 2005

MILLBURN - SHE is America's favorite sweetheart, the orphan with the sooty cheeks and dishpan hands, who overcomes all odds and emerges a princess.

No, not Annie, but rather Cinderella, history's longest-running "Extreme Makeover," with more than 800 variations on her legend worldwide. The Paper Mill Playhouse here has upped the ante by offering a musically rich, eye-poppingly gorgeous, fun-filled "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella," an adaptation by Tom Briggs of the 1957 made-for-television movie. There are also nods to Disney's animated film of 1950 and to a multi-ethnic 1997 remake of the television movie written by Robert L. Freedman.

Mr. Briggs takes the best of the past and runs with it, choosing to give the language a contemporary twist. Now, when the Fairy Godmother, played sassily by the magnificent Suzzanne Douglas, introduces herself to Cinderella, the following exchange takes place: (F.G.) "I'm your Fairy Godmother, honey." (C.) "You?" (F.G.) "You got a problem with that?"

But it is the addition of Cinderella's groupies -- an enchanting puppet entourage of four twittering mice, a cat and a soaring white dove -- that creates a special kind of magic. Singing the poignant Rodgers and Hammerstein "In My Own Little Corner," surrounded by these adoring creatures, Angela Gaylor as Cinderella is captivating.

And what a revelation it is to reconnect with Mr. Rodgers's beautifully shaped melodies and with the witty, sophisticated lyrics of Mr. Hammerstein. As performed by Ms. Gaylor and by Paolo Montalban as Prince Christopher, such favorites as "The Sweetest Sounds," "Ten Minutes Ago" and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?" produce genuine musical highs.

There is so much that delights about this production under Gabriel Barre's most able direction. James Youmans's settings, a quirky mix of Day-Glo cardboard cutouts for the town (with the "Magic Kingdom" in the background), and Art Deco design elements for the palace, elicit oohs and aahs from the audience, as does the stunning pyrotechnic display that begins the lowly pumpkin's metamorphosis into a splendid carriage.

Pamela Scofield's over-the-top costumes are most amusing. Catch the formal get-up of Cinderella's evil Stepmother and her two hideous daughters, Grace and Joy, played broadly by the rib-tickling trio of Nora Mae Lyng, Janelle Anne Robinson and Jen Cody.

Larry Keith and Joy Franz are wonderful as King Maximillian and Queen Constantina. They sing "Boys and Girls Like You and Me" with the tenderness of a couple still deeply in love after so many years. As Lionel, the prince's impudent steward, Stanley Wayne Mathis brings attitude to spare.

Take the kids or leave them home, you'll enjoy this winning revival either way.